Cherry Avenue Students Gather to Remember 9/11

held a 9/11 memorial service on Sept. 9. The students gathered in the front of the school to pay tribute to those affected by the tragedy. Volunteer firefighters from were also in attendance.

Children held flags and proudly displayed their patriotic creations for the many parents who gathered outside the school for the ceremony. The site-based team at the school organized the event, something that had been in the works for the last two years, according to Kathy Elton, PTA president of Cherry Avenue.

Cherry Avenue principal Dr. John Stimmel addressed the students. “There are many times we gather as a school for special occasions and happy times,” he said. “This is not one of those times. Something very serious happened to our country 10 years ago, a time when many of you weren’t even born yet. Today we are meeting not to remember in sadness but with gratitude and respect for those who helped us after Sept. 11.”

He continued, “We want to say to them that we remember those who were lost. And to all those who protected us, the fire department, the police department, we want to say a profound thank you. We are not going to shout or cheer our thank you. It is more proper to observe a moment of silence together as we remember those men and women who helped and protected us.”

After joining in a moment of silence, the students, teachers and parents joined in singing “God Bless America.”